WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 15, 2005) – PRNewswire – For employers, finding the perfect new employee once required writing a newspaper classified advertisement. Today, with millions of computer-savvy individuals logging onto a multitude of job search web sites, the Internet has become the cost-effective way for employers to reach the widest audience of job seekers.

But large corporations aren’t the only employers conducting job searches on the web. Experts predict that America’s public schools will need 2.2 to 2.4 million new teachers over the next ten years. To meet the demand, schools and organizations that certify teachers are joining the ranks of employers who utilize the Internet to search for passionate, intelligent people to join the teaching profession.

According to officials at the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (abcte.org), Internet outreach efforts can be an effective method of reaching new audiences. The American Board offers the Passport to TeachingSM certification designed to recruit career-changers into the teaching profession.

"With many states experiencing teacher shortages in key areas, the education community must embrace all forms of technology in its recruitment efforts," said Dr. Kathleen Madigan, president of the American Board.

The American Board recently utilized Super Bowl advertiser Careerbuilder.com to spread the word about the Passport to Teaching certification. In the past, the American Board has utilized the Internet to spread the word about Passport to retiring military officers and personnel.

"There are people all across America who have a passion for teaching but think that they need to go back to college to become a certified teacher," Madigan said. " Passport to Teaching changes all of that. Now these talented individuals can become certified teachers through our individualized preparation and computer-based assessment program. The Internet helps us spread that message effectively."

Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, Passport to Teaching is a standards-based, cost-effective, and time-efficient program. Individuals who receive Passport to Teaching certification are considered highly qualified according to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

In addition to recruiting new teachers, new technologies can also be useful in guiding potential teachers through the Passport to Teaching certification process.

In the summer of 2004, the American Board began partnering with Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire to provide an interactive, online training tool for teacher candidates. This resource is based on a six module program that focuses on developing and strengthening professional teaching knowledge.

Once an individual is certified and employed as a teacher, he or she will be able to participate in the American Board’s mentoring program, which connects experienced educators with new teachers in an interactive, online setting.

For more information about the use of the internet in recruiting new individuals to the teaching profession, contact the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence at 202-261-2620 or visit the American Board web site at abcte.org. For more information, please contact: Andrew Campanella, Director of Communications Phone: 202-261-2634, Mobile: 202-246-2155 E-mail: acampanella@abcte.org

The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (abcte.org) was created in 2001 to address the need for a highly qualified teacher in every American classroom. The American Board offers the rigorous, five-step Passport to Teaching certification process for knowledgeable and passionate individuals entering the teaching field. Passport to Teaching offers individualized learning plans for teaching candidates to complement the knowledge and skills they have obtained through previous work experience.

The American Board is also developing a Master TeacherSM certification to recognize current teachers who significantly advance student achievement. Master Teacher should be available in 2006.

The American Board is recognized as approved provider of teacher certification in the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.